Rail and bracket construction for vehicles.



E. L. ACKERMAN.

RAIL AND BRACKET CONSTRUCTION FOR VEHICLES.

APPLICATlON FILED AUG. 7, 1914.

1,1%1,915. PatentedJune 8, 1915.

WITNESSES. INVENTOR Eda/a r06.L,/La/cermaw MZWZZMM IHE NORRIS PETERS 00.. PHUTG-LITHO.. WASHINGTON, D. Cv

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EDWARD IJ. ACK'EBMAN, 033 DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOB T0 J'QSEPH N. SMITH 8a COMPANY, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

RAIL AND BRACKET CONSTRUCTION FOR VEHICLES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 8, 1915..

Application filed August 7, 1914. Serial No. 855,639.

T all whom it may concern Be it known that I, EDWARD L. AOKER- MAN, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State of Michigan, have lnvented certain new and useful Improvements 1n Rail and Bracket Constructions for Vehicles, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The invention relates to rail and bracket construction designed for use on motor vehicles as foot rails, hanger rails, etc.

It is the object of the invention to form a simple, inexpensive and strong construction as hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings: Figurel is a perspective view of a bracket and a portion of the rail as designed for a foot rail. tion through Fig. 1.

A is a bracket formed of sheet metal provided with the angle flange B forming a rest or footing and also preferably pivotally attached at O to a lug D fixed to the vehicle bod E is a tubular rail extending from the bracket A to a similar bracket (not shown) at its opposite end. It is usual to secure rails to the bracket by soldering, brazing or by similar means, frequently resulting in forming a weak connection and also increasing the cost of manufacture. With my improved construction a rail is attached solely by a mechanical joint and one which will not loosen or become detached. In detail, the tubular rail E is provided with a shoulder, preferably a rolled bead F. Beyond this bead is a portion G which engages an aperture in the bracket A and is then expanded Fig. 2 is a secto form an interlock. Preferably the bracket A. is formed with a rounded flange I-I projecting laterally therefrom, the edge of said flange abutting against the bead F, and the portion G of the tube is then expanded to'fit within this rounded flange II, as shown in Fig. 2. This construction avoids extending the tube beyond the plane of the outer surface of the bracket A, thereby making a flush joint and also forming a stronger construction. A further advantage is that the rounded flange H in conjunction with the bead F forms an ornamental finish for the joint between the rail and the bracket.

While I have described my invention preferably with a sheet-metal bracket formed to be suitably attached to the tubular rod, particularly on account of the lesser cost, I do not wish to limit same to their use, but as well to the use of drop forged or cast brackets of any suitable shapes or dimensions for attaching tubular rod in the manner described.

"What I claim as my invention is A rail and bracket construction comprising a tubular rail having a circumferential bead formed therein, a sheet metal bracket apertured to fit said rail and provided with a laterally extending flange bearing against said bead, and a portion of said rail beyond said bead expanded to fit Within said flange and form an interlock.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDWARD L. ACKERMAN.

Witnesses:

H. P. WILLIAMS, G. E. BLAESSER.

(Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner 01' Patents. Washington, D. 0. 

